Judith Ann McCarthy

Judith A. McCarthy, 58, residing in Elkhart, passed away at 7:28pm Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Elkhart General Hospital. She was born on May 7, 1958 in Lansing, MI, to the late Joseph Edward and Genevieve M. (Paden) McCarthy.

Judith is survived by daughters, Jami (Ed) Barber of South Bend; Jennie Shultz of South Bend; Jessica Good of Mishawaka; Robin (Scott) Oakes of Jacksonville, FL; seven grandchildren, Kyle Shultz, Ronny Oakes, Zachary Amundson, Alexis Jones, Shayla Oakes, Adrianna Jones, and T.J. Jones; one great-grandchild, Ava Sleepers; sisters, Joanne (William) Wingereid of Cincinnati, OH, and Karen (James) Grimm of Clinton, AK; brother, Dave (Diane) McCarthy of Ocala, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews.

“To everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what was planted; a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.” ~ Ecclesiastes

It is so hard to say goodbye. We wish we had more time, more time together. One more night, one more day, one more smile on her face. While we know that she is at peace and that her struggles are at an end, there is pain and sadness. But even though she is gone, she has left a legacy of love for all of those whom she loved and touched.

Mom loved to garden and she took great pride in her flowers. Gardeners are special people. It takes patience and love for living things to grow a garden or a beautiful flower, and there is beauty in seeing the result of our labor grow and come to fruition. There is peacefulness that can come over us as we care for and nurture the flowers. Gardeners make a difference in the world and make their lives and the lives of others who see their garden richer and fuller. I think that, for mom, she found peace and comfort being in her garden of flowers.

With that said, mom was able to donate both of her corneas to two recipients and through her gift of sight, others may now see the beauty that she saw in her garden.

Mom's other love was her love of animals and especially her dog Cole. Cole was her best friend whom she cherished and loved spending time with. Sadly, Cole passed away in February, but they are united once again in heaven.

The family would like to thank the incredible staff at Elkhart General Hospital 3rd floor Critical Care unit for the exceptional care that they showed our mother and our family. Jen, Asuka, Karen, Jenny, Dr. Anaan, Dr. Berger and any others I may have forgotten. Thank you all, for the care you gave our mom in such a short amount of time that you had her in your care. Thank you for taking care of our family. It takes a unique person of love and compassion to do what you do, and all of you have a special calling.

In lieu of a formal service, friends may visit with the family from 12:00-3:00pm on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Palmer Funeral Homes—Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN 46635. Inurnment at Highland will take place privately at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Judith may be donated to Humane Society of Elkhart County, 54687 C.R. 19, Bristol, IN 46507.

Online condolences may be left for the McCarthy family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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